"Ah, a ghost!"
The guard who had been mocking others screamed and scrambled away, fleeing the East Palace in the blink of an eye.
News of the incident quickly spread throughout the palace.
Inside the study, a chilling silence prevailed. Shangguan Yao, having heard the report from the patrolling guards, wore a gloomy expression and said nothing. The reporting guard withdrew.
Within the study, Shangguan Lin and Song Yuan exchanged glances, then spoke in unison.
"Your Majesty, it seems someone is playing tricks. The East Palace has always been serene, without even a vengeful spirit. Where would a ghost come from? The person behind this must be the one who has been causing trouble recently. Your subjects will thoroughly investigate this matter."
Shangguan Lin and Song Yuan, their faces etched with coldness, both cupped their fists and spoke in deep voices.
However, the handsome man seated above them, with his stern features, deep and enigmatic eyes, and tightly pursed lips, remained motionless for a long time, seemingly lost in thought.
Without receiving any indication from the Emperor, Shangguan Lin and Song Yuan cautiously looked up. They saw the Emperor frowning deeply, his mind occupied with something, clearly not having heard their words.
"Your Majesty?"
Shangguan Lin called out again. The man behind the imperial desk suddenly snapped back to attention, his eyes sharp and piercing. He raised an eyebrow and spoke.
"You say, who exactly is causing this series of disturbances in the palace?"
These few men did not believe in ghosts or divine powers. They could only conclude that the person behind it all was exceptionally cunning and unpredictable, and they did not know what his ultimate goal was… or perhaps…
Shangguan Yao's eyes flickered, and suddenly his chest constricted. He widened his eyes in disbelief, his pupils swirling with an ominous, turbulent light that crashed like waves against the shore…
"Your Majesty, I suggest we send people to monitor Jinhua Palace. I have a hunch that the person in the shadows is connected to the foolish Empress."
Shangguan Lin said with a deep voice. A series of incidents had occurred in the palace, several of which involved that foolish woman, and the person from last time had clearly saved her.
"The foolish Empress, could it be that the recent events are related to the Yun Prince's Manor? Is it all the work of that old scoundrel Yun Mo?"
Shangguan Yao slammed the desk heavily, his eyes suddenly turning icy cold. His gaze was as sharp as a blade's edge, sending a shiver down one's spine.
"Your Majesty, this subject cannot be certain. Moreover, Yun Mo does not seem like such a cunning old schemer. However, the person hidden behind this does seem to be protecting that foolish Empress. Therefore, I believe it is best to send people to monitor Jinhua Palace."
"Very well," Shangguan Yao nodded and turned to Song Yuan, "Immediately dispatch guards to monitor every move at Jinhua Palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Song Yuan departed to assign tasks.
In the study, Shangguan Lin looked up at his elder brother and spoke with some concern, "Is Your Majesty alright?"
He had never seen his elder brother appear so disoriented. It seemed as though something was troubling him. As a brother, Shangguan Lin naturally cared for him.
However, his concern fell upon Shangguan Yao's ears and elicited a cold glance. His gaze held a deep, indescribable flicker before he finally spoke.
"Too many things have happened in the palace recently. I am a bit tired. Imperial brother, you should focus your efforts on thoroughly investigating these matters."
"Yes, your subject obeys."
Shangguan Lin spoke respectfully and prepared to withdraw. He stopped at the doorway, turning back as if he had something to say but hesitated. Shangguan Yao asked gently.
"What is it?"
"Has Your Majesty not suspected Mr. Ximen? Since his appearance, matters seem to have become more complicated."
Shangguan Yao's pupils flashed as he replied, "Song Yuan has people watching Jinhua Palace. You, on the other hand, send people to monitor the movements at Qingfeng Pavilion. If there is the slightest disturbance, report it to me immediately. I will never let the troublemaker behind the scenes go unpunished."
"Yes, Your Majesty," Shangguan Lin received the order and quickly withdrew.
The study fell silent. The head eunuch, Xiao Tingzi, stood by the Emperor's side with his hands clasped. Two young eunuchs quietly added incense to a small golden tripod, from which light smoke curled and fragrant scents wafted.
Shangguan Yao slightly closed his eyes, his face somewhat pale. He leaned his slender body onto a soft couch to rest…
Meanwhile, within Changxin Palace, a similarly chaotic situation was unfolding.
The Empress Dowager, who had already retired for the night, heard Lin An's report and sat up from her bed, her mouth agape in disbelief as she repeated Lin An's words.
"You say the East Palace is experiencing a haunting?"
Lin An, hearing the Empress Dowager's rapid and icy tone, became even more cautious.
"Yes, Your Ladyship. A message has arrived stating that the East Palace is being haunted."
"This is impossible, impossible! How can there be a ghost? Where would a ghost come from?"
The Empress Dowager became agitated, patting the brocade quilt on the bed and repeating herself incessantly, shaking her head vigorously. Her dark pupils were brimming with a luminous sheen, exceptionally striking under the dim lamplight.
"Your Ladyship?"
Lin An was taken aback by the Empress Dowager's unusual behavior. Her emotions seemed to be running high, and he quickly tried to comfort her.
"Your Ladyship, please do not worry. Where are ghosts in this world? It must be someone playing tricks behind the scenes. His Majesty will investigate. Your Ladyship should rest assured and relax."
Hearing Lin An's words, the Empress Dowager's mood somewhat calmed. She murmured, "Yes, where are ghosts in this world? It must be someone playing tricks from behind the scenes. But why is it in the East Palace? Lin An, why would he choose the East Palace and not any part of the inner palace?"
The Empress Dowager's questioning tone arose. Lin An wore a troubled expression. That was the work of the person causing the haunting; how would he know their intentions?
However, since no one resided in the East Palace, perhaps the person behind it feared being discovered, which was why they created the disturbance in the East Palace. With this thought, he carefully spoke.
"Your Ladyship forgets, the East Palace was originally where His Majesty resided. Now that His Majesty has moved into Jingfu Palace, the East Palace has been left vacant. With no one living there now, it leaves an opportunity for those with ulterior motives."
"Is that so? Is it truly like that?"
The Empress Dowager repeated herself twice. Lin An did not understand what was amiss with the Empress Dowager tonight. She appeared completely dispirited, completely unlike her usual shrewd self, and she kept repeating the same topic. What was going on?
Lin An guessed repeatedly but could not fathom the depth of the matter. Finally, he gave up and cautiously advised the Empress Dowager to rest early.
"Your Ladyship, it is late. Your Ladyship should rest early."
The cold wind blew under the bright moon, and frost condensed on the dew.
The night deepened, the moon shifted westward, and a white shadow drifted past the branches, vanishing in an instant.
Outside the back hall door of Jinhua Palace, Murong Chong retracted his white fox fur cloak and released the woman in his arms. He stood coolly under the moonlight, his innate dominance blending with the moonlight, like a master of all creation.
Yun Xiao took a step back, her brow furrowed as she gazed at him, her eyes full of doubt.
"Why, why did the haunting happen in the East Palace, and not in any other part of the inner palace?"
As soon as her words fell, she clearly felt a wave of killing intent instantly tense around Murong Chong, intense and heavy, but it was quickly suppressed. With a large push, he sent her into the inner hall door, and his cold, captivating voice sounded, "Someone is coming."